It was the game Shepparton couldn’t lose.
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Not for the fact Shepparton United was an inferior opponent ― quite the opposite ― but the Bears needed four points on Saturday to ensure their finals holding remains in tact.
Shepparton completed the task, but it didn’t come easy in their Goulburn Valley League A-grade clash.
Holding a slender one-goal advantage heading into the final quarter, an inspired finish from the Bears had them hold on to a 43-37 victory at Deakin Reserve, much to the delight of coach Tracey Brereton.
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Eyes ahead: Shepparton’s Ella Sidebottom. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Barometer: Shepparton United’s Laura Cole. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
Quick hand off: Shepparton’s Caitlyn Tuohey is pressured by Shepparton United’s Karis Moore. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
Locking down: Shepparton’s Eliza Bicknell. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
Dictating play: Shepparton United’s Bess Schnioffsky. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Working the angle: Shepparton United’s Diaz Barzen. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Arm’s length: Shepparton United’s Olivia Kirby. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
Smiling through the pain: Shepparton’s Sophie Hanrahan. Photo by Megan Fisher“The bottom line is we’re still trying to make sure we finish in the top six or top five,” Brereton said.
“We just had to win, it just had to be a win on the board for us to keep moving forward.”
Heading in to the game without beacon Jane Cook, Shepparton pulled in Caitlin Hill to don the goal shooter bib and partner Ella Sidebottom inside the ring.
The pair worked well in tandem, well enough to shoot the Bears out to a 12-9 lead at quarter-time.
United defender Olivia Kirby picked up the scraps where she could and Laura Cole pulled the strings in centre to provide opportunities in attack.
Still the Demons trailed, down by five at half-time.
However, the third term was a cracker by all accounts from a United perspective.
A heavy fall forced Shepparton defender Sophie Hanrahan off the court, allowing Demons goalers Georgia Walpole and Diaz Barzen to shoot six goals straight to reduce the deficit from seven to one.
One became none and finally United was all square at 28-all.
The Bears edged their nose in front moments before three-quarter time, providing enough of a sniff of victory to bring a rise out the huddle.
“The feeling was pretty upbeat that we didn’t want to let this one go,” Brereton said.
“We’ve had too many close games this year; we had a couple against Rochester and Echuca that we haven’t been probably on the right side of the ledger for.
“The girls were very determined not to let it slip, especially after the lead we had there for a bit.”
Shepparton was held by United in the first few minutes of the last quarter, but the match in tempo was not sustained by Jeanette Serra’s girls as they lost their grip on the game.
Here, Hill and Sidebottom stood tall to close out the game and clinch the ‘‘must-win’’ clash.
When quizzed about whether ninth place on the ladder is a fair representation of United’s form, Brereton had this to say.
“All credit to United, the game showed that they certainly could be up there in the top six as well,” she said.
“Obviously it was a great game because we were on the other side of it, but it only really opened up for us to be a convincing win in the last seven minutes of the last quarter.
“I feel really fortunate that we got the win considering how well United played.”
Shepparton was served well by Sidebottom and Hill, while Brereton was impressed by youngsters Eliza Bicknell and Caitlyn Tuohey.
For United, Cole and Kirby were standouts in the loss.
In other games, Euroa rolls back into top spot after knocking off Echuca 34-32, while Seymour felled Mooroopna by six goals.
Tatura returned from Kyabram with a 43-24 win, Rochester held court at home 56-36 over Benalla and Shepparton Swans ousted Mansfield 61-35.
Senior Sports Journalist